December 26, 2021: I Am With You

Advent series message 4

Text: Isaiah 43:2

Isaiah is full of Advent prophecies and comfort for God's people. 2021 has been another difficult year - God's gracious promise is that He will neither leave us nor forsake us in difficult times. Jesus reiterated this by telling us that, as we endeavor to make disciples, He will be with us to the very end.

December 19, 2021: Eternal Life!

2021 Advent series message 3

Text: II Timothy 1:8-12

Through the Advent of Christ, death would be abolished and life and immortality brought to light! Given our assurance of eternal life, we are entreated to suffer for Christ's sake, knowing we have an inheritance laid up for us in heaven.

December 12, 2021: God Is Love

2021 Advent series message 2

Text: I John 4:16

In this message we'll isolate a non-Johanian book of the Bible and see how the concept of love is developed throughout. It provides a compelling presentation of Christ's advent - the purpose and effect it has, as well as the calling on our lives. It is full of hope and encouragement!

December 5, 2021: Light of Life

2021 Advent Series message 1

Text: Isaiah 9:1-7

In the Bible, light often refers to God's glory, purity, and hope. It is particularly used when describing Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and the hope that He brings. On Sunday, we'll survey major Messianic light themes as we celebrate His coming, with an eye to John's application of them in his writings.

November 28, 2021: Gospel Fortitude

1 John series message 7

Text: I John 2:12-14

The elderly apostle dispenses exactly what we need to thrive in our walk with Christ. He doesn't give platitudes or empty promises, but anchors us in glorious gospel truths that reflect our union with Christ. We can take courage and develop confidence as we consider these stupendous declarations.

November 21, 2021: A New Commandment

1 John series message 6

Text: I John 2:7-11

Love, love, love! Our good friend, Cornel, had it right. God is love, so when God’s life is in us, we can expect a godly love for others to be present. This is also something that we can grow in, and be diligent to preserve, within our fellowship.

November 14, 2021: Living in the Light

1 John series message 5

Text: I John 2:3-6

John is very clear in his messaging. If we are in Christ, our life will reflect that. We can't claim to be in the light, and yet, walk in darkness. We don't flesh this all out perfectly, so there is provision for us to confess our sin, and keep walking in the light, as the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness. This gives both confidence and comfort as we face trials and temptations, doubts and distractions, and don't always get it right.

October 31, 2021: Missing the Mark

1 John series message 3

Text: I John 1:8 - 2:2

Sin is not a popular notion these days, but the Bible puts sin at the very core of the gospel message. He is faithful to His promises to cleanse us of unrighteousness as we walk with Him. If we say we are without sin we are deceiving ourselves.

October 24, 2021: A Study in Contrasts

1 John series message 2

Text: I John 1:5-7

John will show us from every conceivable angle that there are two groups of people in the world. You are in the Kingdom or you are not. Light and darkness is a theme developed extensively in Scripture. While it is true God transforms us via the new birth, we also need to be reminded to live as children of light.

October 10, 2010: The Unexpected Abundant Life

Text: John 9:39-10:18

Last week we began to look at how we are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus in response to all He has accomplished through His death and resurrection - declaring us holy before God, coheirs with Christ, new creations, and conforming us to the image of Jesus. This is true for every generation of believers until the end of time! So, if this is who we are, how then shall we live? Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly, but how we define abundant life in our culture is very different than the life we see in Scripture. He gives abundant life but it might not be what we were expecting or maybe even wanting.

October 3, 2021: Why Did Jesus Die? Pt. 10

Text: I Corinthians 2:2

The cross is the most stupendous display of love, justice, mercy, grace, and wisdom. The cruel Roman instrument is the long anticipated vehicle of redemption and reconciliation. A crossless Christianity is no Christianity at all; the cross at the center of biblical truth arrays the full splendor of the gospel. “for I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Our series conclusion will point us to our personal mandate of discipleship in Matthew 16:24. We'll observe Communion at the close of the sermon.

September 26, 2021: Why Did Jesus Die? Pt. 9

Text: Romans 6:1-14

We've talked a lot about how the death of Christ saves us from the penalty of sin - we're forgiven (justified). Calvary not only saves us from the wrath to come, it saves us from the raging seas of temptation and sin (sanctification). We're saved from the power of sin, today. "Sin shall not have dominion over you." That, too, is the hope of the gospel and power of the blood!

September 19, 2021: Why Did Jesus Die? Pt. 8

Text: Hebrews 2:10-18

"The death of death in the death of Christ," as Owen put it. Destroy and deliver - two more key theology terms that breathe life and confidence into the life of the believer. At Calvary, Jesus not only destroyed death but also the one who held the power of death. He delivered us from the slavery of the fear of death into the glorious expectation of the sons of God, who now live in the weight of glory and the eternal perspective. Jesus' death saves from and to.

September 12, 202: Why Did Jesus Die? Pt. 7

Text: Misc.

The blood-stained pages of the Hebrew Scriptures point to Messiah dying a dramatic and agonizing death, laying down His life for sinners. As we continue our consideration of the death of Christ, we'll look at its effect and benefits for us: what we are saved from and what we are saved to. It is in Jesus' death that we see the breathtaking scope of our redemption as Jesus is set forth as a propitiation for our sins.

August 29, 2021: Why Did Jesus Die? Pt. 5

My pastor always referred to the Bible as God's unfolding drama of redemption. Like every good story the Bible involves character, plot, setting and theme development as well as gripping conflict resolution. As we cross over into the New Testament on Sunday, we'll step into the most profound and powerful story of love and redemption the world has ever known. As we more fully enter into the narrative of the death of Christ, we begin to see why He died in the first place by connecting passages from the Old & New Testaments, as well as from the Gospel accounts and New Testament epistles. From Genesis to Revelation, God's Word is saturated with references to Calvary.

August 22, 2021: Why Did Jesus Die? Pt. 4

Last week we looked at the significance of Ark of the Covenant, often housed in the Holy of Holies. Our launch point this Sunday will be the rich term propitiatory, which is intrinsically tied to the Ark of the Covenant and Jesus' death. We'll explore the meaning, significance and prevalence of sacrifices in the OT leading up to Jesus' ministry. It all points to Christ, to God's holiness, and His unfolding drama of redemption in Scripture. We are putting in the effort to answer the crucial question, "Why did Jesus die?"